Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs comes to Paapu Essiedu's defence amid Snape casting backlash

Jason Isaacs, who played Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, is speaking out in support of Paapu Essiedu’s casting in the upcoming TV series rebooting the Harry Potter franchise. While speaking with Collider at the FanExpo in Denver, the British actor said,

“Paapa Essiedu is one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen some people online who are being rude about him. What they’re being is racist.”

Isaacs was referring to the reactions circulating on social media which call into question the casting of a black actor in the role of a white character. Snape was originally played by the late actor, Alan Rickman.

A part of the HBO Max Harry Potter series’ cast was announced back in April 2025, as per The Guardian. At the time, the decisions of the show runners to cast a black actor as Snape was criticized online, according to Newsweek. The publication shared multiple comments on various social media platforms which disapproved of the casting.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Paapa Essiedu (@pessiedu)

While continuing to defend Paapu Essiedu’s casting, Isaacs felt that the I May Destroy You actor’s performance as Snape would put all doubts to rest, according to Collider. He said,

“All the cast of the new Harry Potter TV series are amazing. They will be swallowing their tongues, hopefully — you know, their digital tongues — when they see what [Paapa] does on screen.”

Isaacs also referred to the fact that a new set of actors was taking over the franchise, considering that all the actors from the Harry Potter films were much loved by audiences over the years. As per Collider, Isaacs noted,

“The show is being made by the same people who made the films, and they’re just taking the time to make each book into a whole season — and it’s going to be great.”

Jason Isaacs supported the casting of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series

Jason Isaacs, known for portraying one of the main antagonists of the Harry Potter films, Draco Malfoy’s father, previously expressed support for the actor set to feature as Lucius Malfoy in HBO’s series.

In June, HBO announced that Emma actor Johnny Flynn would be portraying Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter reboot, as per Variety. Taking to X, Jason Isaacs lent his approval to the choice, and wrote,

“A fantastic actor, a lovely man and, irritatingly, a rather brilliant musician too. Couldn’t have handed the snake-topped baton on to anyone better.”

Jokingly, Isaacs added,

“Just please don’t make him sing…”

A fantastic actor, a lovely man and, irritatingly, a rather brilliant musician too. Couldn’t have handed the snake-topped baton on to anyone better. Just please don’t make him sing…#HarryPotter #JohnnyFlynn#KillTheElfEarly https://t.co/SOERv7Jmqq

— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) June 9, 2025

Jason Isaacs joked about returning to the Harry Potter franchise

Amid all the excitement about the casting of the much-awaited HBO Max Harry Potter series, Jason Isaacs was asked by Deadline if he would consider returning to the franchise.

A journalist questioned Isaacs, who starred in the network’s White Lotus Season 3, and asked,

“So Max is working on a Harry Potter series. Would you consider returning in a different role, Salazar Slytherin, I’m wondering.”

Isaacs joked about the character that he’d prefer to play in the reboot, and said,

“I’m hoping to come back as Hermione. I sent my audition tape in, and I've yet to hear. But they have my number.”

According to Variety, Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout would be playing the famous trio of Harry, Hermione and Ron in the Harry Potter series.